Simone Lawson
The road to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution was long and arduous, with the country being governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification of the U.S. Constitution created a new governing system that reflected the need for a more centralized governing system among the old colonies. The document established a government based on principles of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first ratification | December 7, 1787 |
| State that won the first ratification | Delaware |
| Number of states required to ratify the Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| Date the Constitution became the official framework of the government | June 21, 1788 |
| Date of the first federal elections | December 15, 1788 |
| Date the new government was set to begin | March 4, 1789 |
| First President of the United States | George Washington |
| First Vice President of the United States | John Adams |
| Date the Bill of Rights was ratified | December 15, 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware
The road to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a long and arduous process. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, or print money. This led to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening to tear the young country apart.
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington, fearing their young country was on the brink of collapse, led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, with representatives from all 13 states. On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing for the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The ratification process sparked an intense national debate between two factions: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. The Federalists, led by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay, argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They believed the checks and balances built into the Constitution would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, feared that the Constitution concentrated too much power in the federal government at the expense of states' rights. They also criticized the absence of a Bill of Rights, arguing that the Constitution did not adequately protect individual liberties. The debate played out in newspapers, pamphlets, and public meetings across the country.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, doing so unanimously on December 7, 1787. This was followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification process was not without opposition, and some states voiced concerns that the Constitution did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the Massachusetts Compromise stipulated that amendments, in the form of the Bill of Rights, would be immediately proposed to address these concerns.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the U.S. government. All 13 states eventually ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790. The U.S. Constitution continues to guide the government, protect the rights of Americans, and inspire democracies worldwide.
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The Federalists supported the Constitution
The Federalists supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, advocating for a strong central government that could unify the nation, protect against foreign threats, and manage domestic affairs. They believed that the Articles of Confederation, which served as the country's first constitution, were inadequate and lacked the necessary enforcement powers to regulate commerce, print money, or address states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. Led by influential figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the Federalists argued that the new Constitution's checks and balances would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. They also emphasized the need for a stronger, more centralized government to ensure the country's stability and address the challenges it faced.
The Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under the pseudonym "Publius", played a crucial role in articulating the Federalists' arguments. These papers were published in newspapers nationwide, explaining and defending the proposed new government and addressing Anti-Federalist concerns. The Federalists were well-organized and had strong support in the press, which helped them successfully convey their position to the public. They believed that the greatest threat to the country did not lie in the abuse of central power but in the inadequacies of the existing system.
The Federalists included big property owners in the North, conservative small farmers and businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals. They favored weaker state governments, a strong centralized government, the indirect election of government officials, longer term limits for officeholders, and representative democracy. The Federalists also had prominent supporters, including Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, who favored the Constitution despite his general opposition to political parties and divisions.
The ratification of the Constitution was a lengthy and contentious process, with intense debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalists fought against the creation of a stronger national government, arguing that the Constitution concentrated too much power in the federal government at the expense of states' rights and lacked a bill of rights. However, the Federalists ultimately prevailed, and on June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the U.S. government when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. This marked a significant shift towards a more centralized governing system among the former colonies.
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The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists were the two factions that emerged during the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, supported the ratification of the Constitution, arguing that it provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They believed that the checks and balances built into the Constitution would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, opposed the ratification of the Constitution. They believed that the Constitution concentrated too much power in the federal government, threatening individual liberties and states' rights. They criticized the absence of a Bill of Rights, which they believed was necessary to protect civil liberties and prevent government overreach. Notable Anti-Federalists, such as Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Samuel Adams, argued against ratification, stating that the Constitution did not adequately protect individual freedoms and gave the federal government too much authority over the states.
The Anti-Federalists' opposition was based on their loyalty to their states and wariness of centralized power. They favoured strong state governments, a weak central government, the direct election of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, and the strengthening of individual liberties. They believed that the new national government under the Constitution would be too powerful and infringe upon the rights of the states and the people. The Anti-Federalists' concerns were not without merit, as the young country had just overthrown a powerful central government and was now facing the prospect of creating a similar system.
The debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists played out in newspapers, pamphlets, and public meetings across the country. Both sides attempted to disseminate their views to the general public, with the Federalists publishing "The Federalist Papers," a series of 85 essays supporting ratification, and the Anti-Federalists writing their own essays expressing their opposition. The ratification process was not smooth, with significant opposition in several states. Despite the Anti-Federalists' efforts, they were unable to prevent ratification, but their influence can be seen in the eventual adoption of the Bill of Rights, which addressed their concerns about protecting civil liberties.
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The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
The road to the ratification of the Constitution was a long and arduous process. America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was inadequate, and it quickly became clear that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government. Alexander Hamilton of New York led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
The Federalists, who believed in the necessity of a strong central government, were led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. To promote their cause, Hamilton, Madison, and Jay wrote a series of 85 essays under the pseudonym "Publius" known as "The Federalist Papers." These essays were published in various New York state newspapers between October 1787 and May 1788, with the first 77 being published between October 1787 and April 1788. The last eight essays were republished between June and August 1788.
The Federalist Papers were a key tool for the Federalists, articulating arguments in favor of ratification and addressing Anti-Federalist concerns. The authors analyzed the Constitution in detail and outlined the built-in checks and balances meant to divide power between the three branches of government and preserve the rights of the people. They also explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The Federalist Papers played a significant role in the intense national debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and they continue to be used today to interpret the intentions of those who drafted the Constitution.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by eight other states, with New Hampshire being the ninth state on June 21, 1788. This marked the beginning of a new governing system based on federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. The ratification process laid the groundwork for a political culture that values compromise, civic engagement, and the protection of individual rights.
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The Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 states
The road to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution was long and arduous. The country's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, or print money. America's leaders, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington, feared that the young country was on the brink of collapse.
Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document, and on May 25, 1787, representatives from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia. The delegates came up with a completely new governing system, creating a powerful central government based on principles of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
The ratification process sparked an intense national debate between two factions: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it, arguing that it concentrated too much power in the federal government and lacked a bill of rights. The Federalists, led by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay, argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They believed the checks and balances built into the Constitution would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The tide turned in Massachusetts, where the “vote now, amend later” compromise helped secure victory, and the Constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the U.S. government. All 13 states eventually ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federalists won the first ratification of the constitution.
The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the constitution on December 7, 1787.
